Live
Audio Only
Tens of thousands of French citizens gathered for the "gilet jaunes" or “yellow vest” protests in a massive demonstration against French President Emmanuel Macron’s economic policies, on Saturday.
RELATED:
France: 100 Injured and 1 Killed in Protests Against Fuel Taxes
The “yellow vest” event is organized to rally large crowds against rising fuel costs and other policies proposed by France’s government. Diesel costs spiked by 16 percent from an average of 1.24 euros per liter to 1.48 euros and even hitting 1.53 euros in October.
Saturday’s demonstrations mark the second-consecutive week of protests. Violence broke out during the demonstrations, resulting in two deaths and over 600 others being injured, according to a report from the French interior ministry.
Additionally, one protester - who was renounced by “yellow vest” organizers - caused panic after demanding to be given audience with Macron, while wearing and displaying an explosive device.
"He demanded that the yellow vests be received at the Elysée" presidential palace, local prosecutor Yves Gambert told AFP.
The man was eventually detained by the police late Friday, following several hours of negotiations. "There was a real risk, real danger, he had an explosive charge around his neck... This was not fake," local official Bernard Gonzalez told AFP.
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner tweeted, explaining that the man had threatened to use "unidentified explosive elements and tampered grenades".
About 3,000 police officers are dispatched to monitor the demonstrations.
Angers. Félicitations aux équipes du RAID et au @Prefet49 qui ont neutralisé l'individu menaçant de se faire exploser. Prétendant agir au nom des "gilets jaunes", il disposait d'éléments explosifs non identifiés et de grenades trafiquées. Merci à nos forces qui nous protègent.
— Christophe Castaner (@CCastaner) November 23, 2018
Congratulations to the RAID Teams and @ Prefet49 who neutralized the individual threatening to blow themselves up. Claiming to act on behalf of "yellow vests", he had unidentified explosive elements and trafficked grenades. Thank you to our forces who protect us.
Demonstrators also blocked fuel depots, shopping centers and some factories across France.
Denis Jacob, secretary general of police union Alternative Police, stated that “we know there are ultra-right and ultra-left infiltrators. You can also expect gangs from the suburbs and ‘black-blocks’.”
Newsletter
